Cookie Dough Flavored Protein Bars, Cookie Dough

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Cookie Dough Flavored Protein Bars, Cookie Dough scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Artificial Sweeteners (Sucralose): Synthetic sweeteners are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Soy Protein Isolate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Sugar Alcohols (Maltitol): Modified sweeteners common in diet UPF products.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Chocolate Flavored Drops (Maltitol, Chocolate Liquor [Processed With Alkali], Cocoa Butter, Sorbitan Tristearate And Soy Lecithin [Emulsifiers], Vanilla)): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Snack & Energy Bars, this product is more processed than about 65% of the 8,001 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Cookie Dough Flavored Protein Bars, Cookie Dough's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor, Vanilla Powder.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Kernel Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Chocolate Flavor-Lites (Sugar, Whole Grain Brown Rice Flour, Corn Syrup, Cocoa [Processed With Alkali], Palm Oil, Natural Flavor).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Titanium Dioxide.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Carbonate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.